Full presser after the break…

Universal City CA, October 29, 2010 –Universal Studios Hollywood’s new restaurant, The International Café, has been honored with a prestigious Santé Restaurant Award for innovation and outstanding achievement in culinary service and hospitality.

Now in its 13th year, the Santé Awards program is the only peer-judged national restaurant and hospitality competition in North America. Of the restaurants recognized with awards this year, The International Café is the only establishment located within a theme park.

The International Café opened earlier this year to provide theme park guests with healthy food choices in a casual, unhurried European bistro-style setting.

The menu includes creative salads, cheese plates and healthy artisanal sandwiches, along with juices, mineral waters and many other food options suitable for a relaxed, sit-down or on-the-go meal for hungry theme park guests.

Universal Studios Hollywood is a unit of Universal Parks & Resorts, a division of NBC Universal. NBC Universal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May of 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.

“Dining is an important part of the experience we provide at Universal Studios Hollywood and we want to ensure that our guests have choices that fit their tastes and their lifestyles,” said Eric Kopelow, Universal Studios Hollywood Executive Chef. “The International Café is helping us to satisfy a growing demand for healthy, tasty food options.” A graduate of New York’s Culinary Institute of America, Kopelow designed The International Café’s innovative menu.

Sample menu choices include a shrimp cobb and Greek salad, a grilled vegetable sandwich with gorgonzola cheese, a turkey with muenster cheese and arugula sandwich, a roast beef and brie with roasted pears sandwich and a “caprese-style” plate featuring heirloom tomatoes with mozzarella and basil. Located adjacent to the theme park’s “Streets of the World” film locations, which re-create European streets and plazas, The International Café offers indoor and al fresco seating.

The Santé Awards were created to recognize excellence in restaurant food, wine, spirits and service hospitality. Award winners represent a broad spectrum of restaurants and industry professionals.